Vol. 367 No. 5
asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the fact that there is still a serious shortage of fodder in County Donegal and the very late growth which is exacerbating the situation, he will investigate the possibility of further fodder being sent to the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
150.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the widespread deaths of cattle on western farms when ample supplies of fodder were available in the south and southeast of the country, and in view of the export of large amounts of fodder to Northern Ireland, he has any plans to achieve a better distributions of fodder throughout the country this year, and, particularly, if he will consider restricting the exports of fodder; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together. Given normal summer weather conditions adequate supplies of locally saved fodder are available in all areas throughout the country. In 1985, however, the conditions for saving hay and silage were exceptionally bad especially in the west and the north-west. In such circumstances it is primarily a matter for local enterprise and initiative to arrange for the transfer of fodder from areas with surplus stocks to deficit areas, as is the case with other commodities. Extremely acute shortages of fodder occurred recently in some areas of the west and north-west as a result of the late spring growth of grass and the Government decided, as an exceptional measure, that army lorries should be employed to help transfer fodder to these areas. In view, however, of the improved growth conditions for grass in the recent past the need for fodder supplies has been eased and further involvement of army transport is not considered necessary. Under EC regulations it is not open to me to prohibit or restrict the exportation of fodder.
